🏔️ Boondocking Beneath Glaciers | Abraham Lake + Icefields Parkway
- Anna Sharp
- Oct 7
- 3 min read
Exploring Canada’s Wildest Boondocking Spots in the Heart of the Rockies
What if the best campsites in the Canadian Rockies aren’t campgrounds at all?
In this week’s adventure, we set out to see just how wild — and beautiful — boondocking in Alberta can get. From camping beneath the Columbia Icefield to lakeside mornings at Abraham Lake, this trip reminded us why we fell in love with full-time RV life in the first place.
A Night Beneath Glaciers
Our journey began on the legendary Icefields Parkway, where we pulled into the massive Columbia Icefield Center parking lot — our boondocking spot for the night.
The view? Unreal. Imagine sipping coffee while gazing up at the Athabasca Glacier, knowing you’re sleeping beneath thousands of years of ice.
Before we even got settled, we hopped on an Ice Explorer tour to actually walk on the glacier itself. It’s hard to put into words what it feels like standing on ancient ice, listening to the guide explain how meltwater from this very spot feeds rivers across the continent. It’s humbling — and unforgettable.
The Columbia Icefield Skywalk
Next, we stepped out (literally) over the edge — onto the Columbia Icefield Skywalk. This glass-floored walkway juts out 918 feet above the Sunwapta Valley, offering a view that’s equal parts breathtaking and vertigo-inducing.
Built to blend into the landscape, the Skywalk is as much an engineering marvel as it is a window into the wild. From above, we spotted mountain goats and eagles — proof that even here, life finds its way across the cliffs.
Boondocking Beside Abraham Lake
From glaciers to turquoise water — our next stop was Abraham Lake, one of Alberta’s most stunning man-made lakes and easily one of our favorite boondocking spots ever.
We set up camp at Preacher’s Point, part of Alberta’s Public Land Use Zone (you’ll need a $20 annual camping pass — totally worth it). With no hookups, no crowds, and endless views, it was boondocking bliss.
Evenings here are pure magic: golden sunsets reflecting off the lake, dogs running along the shoreline, and that quiet stillness that reminds you why you chose this life.
Adventures Around the Lake
While the scenery alone could have kept us content, adventure called. Ben and Will tackled The Fox Via Ferrata, a vertical climb up Mount Stelfox that delivered both thrills and incredible views of Abraham Lake below.
We also explored nearby Siffleur Falls, with its hanging bridge and dramatic canyon, and Crescent Falls, a double cascade right off the David Thompson Highway. Each stop felt like discovering another hidden gem in Alberta’s wilderness.
Reflections
Our time at Abraham Lake was an excellent reminder of why we love boondocking — wide-open spaces, endless views, and those moments you could never plan but will never forget.
Some places you arrive at with no expectations and leave completely blown away. This was one of them.
🎥 Watch the Full Episode
Catch the full adventure on YouTube:👉 Boondocking Beneath Glaciers | Abraham Lake + Icefields Parkway 🎬 Part 4 of our Canadian Rockies Series
If you missed the first few episodes:
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